Bunching and counting mechanism



Oct. 13, 1953 H. PETERS ETAL BUNCHING AND COUNTING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2, 1949 INVENTORS. 144 98) P571525 W/lZ/fl/V J 77170 Oct. 13, 1953' PETERS ET AL 2,655,083

BUNCHING AND COUNTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J I NN m w Oct 1953 H. PETERS ETAL 2,655,033

' BUNCHING AND COUNTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V EN T0R5. A/flEEJ P572365 BY mam/ 11. 7/1 70 Oct. 13, 1953 PETERS r 2,655,083

BUNCHING AND COUNTING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 2, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORSI #420 #57525 Patented Oct. 13, 1953 BUNCHING AND COUNTING MECHANISM Harry Peters, Middletown, and William J. Tilton, Franklin, Ohio, assignors to The Raymond Bag Company, Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 2, 1949, Serial No. 125,148

16 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for counting, bunching and conveying articles.

This apparatus is an improvement on the apparatus shown in Patent No. 1,901,062, granted March 14, 1933, to Sharkey, and one object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which will receive bags from a bag processing machine, accumulate the same in bunches and convey each bunch to an inspection table, or other point of discharge.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus having an endless conveyor to receive the bags and automatically controlled power means for imparting forward movement to the conveyor when a predetermined number of bags has been deposited thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus having means for accurately counting the bags as they are received from the processing apparatus and controlling the operation of the conveyor operating mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which intermittent movements are imparted to the conveyor by fluid operated mechanism, the operation of which is controlled by the counting mechanism.

Other objects of the invention may appear as the apparatus is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of such an apparatus, partly broken away; Fig. 3 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus, viewed from that side of the apparatus opposite the side shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail view of a portion of the counting apparatus; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the upper portion of the conveyor; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a one-way clutch which connects the operat ll'lg mechanism with the conveyor; Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

In these drawings we have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same as designed for bunching sewed multi-wall paper bags discharged from a bag sewing machine, but it is to be understood that the apparatus as a whole, as well as the several parts thereof, may take various forms and may be used for bunching, counting and conveying articles of various kinds, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In that embodiment of the invention here illustrated, the apparatus is mounted on a supporting Structure which comprises a portion I0 of the sewing machine frame and a, main frame supported independently of and rigidly connected with the sewing machine frame. The main frame comprises a pair of upright from; end members I l, a pair of upright rear end members i2, a pair of longitudinal upper side members 13 and a pair of longitudinal lower side members i l, the front end members being of a height slightly greater than the height of the rear end members so that the upper longitudinal members i3 are inclined upwardly and forwardly. The upper longitudinal members i3 extend rearwardly beyond the rear end members 12 and are rigidly connected with the sewing machine frame Iii. Mounted on this main frame is a conveyor which may be of any kind suitable to receive and convey the bags or other articles. Preferably it is an endless conveyor comprising two sprocket chains, [5 and i6. Each of the chains passes about and in engagement with a series of sprocket wheels mounted between the side members of the main frame. In the present arrangement each series includes sprocket wheels I! and 18 adjacent the upper ends of the respective end members H and I2, and a third sprocket wheel l9 mounted on the front end member ll a substantial distance below the sprocket wheel [8, the conveyor so supported being substantially triangular in form.

Preferably the conveyor is provided with a plurality of abutments, in the present instance three, spaced apart substantially equal distances and so mounted that when that portion of the conveyor on which an abutment is mounted is in the upper stretch of the conveyor, the abutment will be in a substantially upright position. In the present construction each abutment comprises two relatively narrow upright plates or bars 20 arranged adjacent the respective sprocket chains [5 and I6, and the two plates of each abutment are rigidly secured to a shaft 2| which extends between and is rotatably supported on the two sprocket chains. Rigidly connected with each abutment and with its shaft is a shoe 22 which extends rearwardly from the shaft and is adapted to engage and travel on the upper surface of a track bar 23 which is rigidly mounted on tie rods 24 forming a part of the main frame, said track being, in the present instance, arranged adjacent sprocket chain l5 and slightly below the level of the upper stretch of that chain. Preferably each shoe 22 is provided with a track engaging roller 25 at the rear end thereof, and with a forwardly extending track engaging part 25 t trol the forward tilting of the abutment. Each such abutment is thus retained in a substantially As will be hereinafter explained, the conveyor is operated intermittently to move successive bunches of bags onto a bag receiving table 28, and in the present arrangement, each abutment comes to a stop at the forward end of th Conveyor with its axis slightly beyond the vertical plane of the axis of the upper front sprocket wheels. The track terminates in the rear of the vertical plane of the axes of the "upper front. sprocket wheels and in such a position that the shoe of the abutment will mgve 'outof engagement with the track an instant be qr ethe'rhtive ment of the abutment is interrupted. The shoe having passed beyond the track moves downwardly about the axis of the abutment-'andmoves the abutment rearwardly about said axis tq a position substantially parallel with the track in which position it is supported by a stud 23a. The 1 155: p t fh fifi ftifi l m int on e'r speenve "side 'mem ersor the frame the when) mov 'acrcss the axis of the :t wheels; However, during the forward entofth'econv'eyo'r' the: ab tmen may, and mes doesfacqui're'momentumsufiicient to the weight or the "s oe and ausethe n v we forwardly "into engagement etie" d211, wherefiti's' sup orted in an 6 m 11 Th' ri xtoperauve movement A convey j u fl j litment' ownwardiy from either of saidpositiorislfabout the lower front 'el' 1 r'dlybeyorid'the'latter 1 u efit rtessum s "a'do'w'nwar dly extending pos tion rearwarqiybeyondthe frontspro 'ckefwheqs,asshown in Fig.1. Upon rate t an "pe at' m vem co eyon' the shoe apprcacne therear sprocket wheels]? in'th'isdo'wnw dly extending, positionfand; as'the chain moves about the sprocket wheels I l the'shoe engages "the rear end: of the "mem er, which ispjrerembi curved, and dly overthe same onto the straight of thetrackfand' the abutmentis'thus theupr'i'gflt' positionshown in Fig. 1.

e supporting structure at" the ii s f ed n l e 2 9; fromthedeliv'ery. conng 'machine and to deposit per stretch of the conveyor n b l l were rear e'rfd of th mergin -s. ehe th b .1. 4

e gri f t h th r T i e an menam m ma be ny suitabletype an in hepresent instance, asupislementa hagie is i idly mounted on a forwardly pres; ctinjg par 32bi-thefsewingmachine frame irlofflaterally spaced upright nemb .3. hich as; n c ri i de h i p er ends with parallel slots 3 3 A pair of rollers,

f and 3 ar S 1 pP0 1 s d h su p e e framefone abdye the other, and are so located a he? ll' 391? b e h m a er t dv onof bag 2% while; the rear portion of that s. in fi agjemehtgwith the sewing machine eonveyo' i A's' here 'hown,' each of these rollers comprises a' plurali of relatively narrcwoisci m .2 Sa e! m mb we le 34 a secured to a shaft 36., the; ends of which an matt .i i ar ee st n of w ic is how iii -i L aha wh h r lewnied sl s $31. of the respective. framemembers 31-. hevv bearings 31 have a limited movement in these slots and each bearing i iirged downwardly by a spring, 38/ The. several. members: of the roller 35. are I rigidly securedto a shaft 39; which is,

journaled in bearings slidably mounted in the ov he a rearw y- "the same quickly to a position above the conveyor and release the same while in a substantially horizontal position, so that it may drop on the icon eyorgor'on abagpreviously deposited on the @QJ-QXQL While. gripping engagement with the bag, the rollers; are operated at a speed somewhat greater than the speed of the sewing ma- =chi ne 'conveyor andthe bag is discharged from the-rollers with such force that it may be projected beyond it proper position on the conveyor. Therefore, we have provided a yieldable structure to, limit "theforwardmotion of the-bag and if thebag over 's'hoots its properpositi-on, to move the "same rearward-1y. 'As here shown this device "corrrr risels"a pair of upright arms a l pivotany supported at their-upperendsby a'shaft 42 mounted on" a suitable support above the con-- vey r,j uch" a's'bars 33 mounted on and-extending forwardlyfrom'the upper endof the supplementalframe 'Sl'. The-arms being arranged between th horizontal bars 33 have free swingingmjo'vement and 'are'o rf such weight that-if d ac'ed by the engagement of a bag therewith, t will/return to their normalvertical-positions The rollers Stand 3 5 may be suitable source of power. In the present arrangeme it, he HD1 61 oller 34% is provided with a sprocket wheel 4t'onshaft'36- and the lower roller- 3 5i s provided with'a' sprocket wheel 7:5 on'shaft 39. A sprocket chain 4,5 "extends about the sprocketwheelfl lfand about as procket wheel; 4? mp'untedi on'a shaft as in" the supplemental frame, andithe' rear'stretch'ofthe chain 37 engages the;

' rew msm f pr tket heei e5, so' ha e two rollers are rotatedin'opposite'directionsabout their respective axesfand at 'the' same speed. The spr6cketwheel1ilhaesecured thereto a gear e 8 which mesheswithl a relatively largegear 9 011 a 51115150 hi his cured a smal sp o k eel 52L WhiQ is-wnnected by a pro e Qhaint? w th a; sprocket ,whee1"53 which is rigidly secured to'a shaft tdrotatably mounted on the sewing machine frame, 'The; shaft may be 'driyen'frcm any suitablesource of. power but preferably it iscon negte'd thro gh a ng ,5..- and. shaft 56., Fi .2, with the driving mechanism which operates the 81: eah n ent r- 5,, s Causing e re}; tion of; the rollers 34. andt to be accurately the d;with relatignto the-movementof the sewing machine co v yor- Vertical movement may be; imparted; to the lowen roller 3 in any suitable manner but pref erably theroller isoamopera-ted anddn' the arrangement here; shown, cams, one of, which is shown -at fia, are. mounted-ion thelshaft; 48'? and; are driten-by a sprocketrwheel 36a. on the shaft def-which sprocket wheel is connected 'by-ma sprocket chain "fiawitha sprocket wheel 38a. on the shaft; 54 andisf thus driven in timed; relation tothe'conveyor 3i The-camstta are so shaped and .so positioned on the shaft 48- that they will engageithe bearingsjtll' of the lower roller-'35 sn lyaf er hefp w lid endiof-a bag has' n d the space between the tworollers; and move the driven from any I lower roller into gripping relation to the upper roller.

When a predetermined number of bags have accumulated on the conveyor -46, that conveyor is actuated to move the bunch of bags forwardly and discharge the same on the table 28. This movement may be imparted to the conveyor in any suitable manner and is so controlled that the movement will be imparted to the conveyor when said predetermined number of bags has accumulated thereon. In the present arrangement, a sprocket wheel 51 is rigidly connected with each of the sprocket wheels I8, on the inner sides of the latter, and said sprocket wheels 57 are connected by chains 58 with sprocket wheels 59 rigidly secured to a drive shaft 59 mounted in bearings on the upper frame members l3, whereby the two sprocket wheels I8 are rotated in synchronism when the shaft 66 is rotated. The shaft 60 is intermittently rotated by a reciprocatory actuating member til which, in the present instance, comprises a toothed segment which is pivotally mounted at 62 on the lower longitudinal frame member M. This segment meshes with a gear 63 rotatably mounted on the shaft Bil, and a pawl carrier 64 is rigidly connected to the gear 63 and carries a pawl 65 which cooperates with a one-toothed ratchet wheel 66 rigidly secured to the shaft 68, thus providing a one-way clutch between the actuating member and the conveyor. L

Suitable power mechanism is provided for imparting reciprocatory movement to the actuating member iii and preferably this mechanism is fluid operated. the arrangement here shown two air cylinders, 61 and 68, are rigidly connected with the respective ends of an elongate structure 69 mounted on the main frame and having laterally spaced side walls between which is supported an operating member 78. Each cylinder has within the same a piston H which is connected by a piston rod 12 with the adjacent end of the operating member dB. The operating member may be connected with the actuating device 8| in any suitable manner. In the present instance, the operating member 10 comprises spaced side bars between which the actuating device extends, and rigidly secured to the side bars is a block 73 which extends into a radial slot 14 in the actuating device, thus the reciprocation of the operating member by the air operated device moves the actuatin device first in one direction and then in the other direction, the one movement serving to drive the conveyor, through the one-way clutch, and the other movement being a return movement which has no effect upon the conveyor.

To prevent the overrunning of the shaft 60, and the conveyor, at the end of the operative movement of the actuating device, there is provided a suitable mechanism comprising a stop member 75 which is rigid with the shaft 60 and which is here shown as a projection on a disc 15 secured to that end of the shaft 60 opposite the one-way clutch. Cooperating with the stop 15 is a stop member 11, here shown as an arm pivotally mounted at one end on a transverse shaft 18 and having at its other end a part 19 which is movable into and out of the path of the stop 15 by the movement of the shaft 18. Preferably the part 19 is slidably mounted in the arm 11 and is retained in its extended position by a spring 80, thus cushioning the impact of the stop 15 therewith. The stop member 1! is biased toward the path of stop member 15, as by a spring 8|, and means are provided for retaining the same normally in its retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1. The shaft 18 extends across the main frame and is provided adjacent the operating member iii with an arm 82 which is rigidly secured thereto and extends forwardly at the side of the operating member ill. Rigidly secured to the operating member is a part, such as a laterally projecting roller 83, which overhangs the arm 82 and when the actuating device is in its retracted or initial position, retains the stop member H in its retracted position. As the operating member moves in operating direction the roller b3 moves lengthwise of the arm 82 toward and beyond the axis thereof and as it moves beyond the axis of the arm it releases the latter for movement about its axis and permits the stop member if to move into the path of the stop 75. Preferably the upper surface of the rear portion of the arm is slightly inclined at 84 to enable the pivotal movement thereof to begin before the roller passes the axis thereof. Thus the stop member 11 is retained in its retracted position during a substantial portion of the movement of the segment SI and is then released for movement by its spring into the path of the stop 15, the parts being so arranged that the stop member ll will enter the path of the stop 15 just before the shaft 60 completes a single rotation.

The air operated devices 67 and 68 are connected with a source of supply of air under pressure through a valve 85 and means are provided for actuating that valve when a predetermined number of bags have been deposited on the conveyor. In the arrangement here shown, one port of the valve 85 is connected through conduits 86 and 81 with the cylinder 61 on the inner side of its piston ll, and is connected through conduits 86 and 88 with the cylinder 68 on the outer side of its piston. A second port of the valve is connected through conduits 89 and 90 with cylinder 6'! on the outer side of its piston, and through conduits 69 and EH with the cylinder 68 on the inner side of its piston. Thus when either port is open fluid will enter the two cylinders in such a manner as to move both pistons in the same direction. The valve may be of any suitable character which will alternately open and close the two ports. It is here shown as a rotary valve and is actuated by a valve arm 92. A spring :13 is connected with the valve arm and with a fixed part of the structure and tends to move the valve in a direction to open the port leading to the conduit 89, and as shown in Fig. 1, that port is closed. The valve arm 92 is connected by a rod 93 with one end of a lever 94 which is pivotally mounted between its ends at 95 and is connected at its other end with a rod 96 which is actuated by a bag counting mechanism. That mechanism includes a spiral cam 91 rigidly secured to a shaft 98. A bracket 99 rigidly secured to the rod and having sliding support on the shaft 98, carries a roller Hi0 which is held in contact with the periphery of the cam 9'! by the spring 93. The shaft 98 and the cam are rotated in timed relation to the rotation of the shaft 54 which drives the bag feeding rollers. In the arrangement shown, a ratchet wheel IOI is secured to the shaft 98 and a pitman I02 is mounted on an eccentric I03 on the shaft 54, and the pitman I92 is pivotally connected with a pawl I04 which actuates the ratchet wheel l0! a distance of one tooth upon each rotation of the shaft 54. When, as in the present instance, the bags are multi-walled bags and are of a substantial thickness, a relatively small number of bags is included in each bunch.

and the ratchet wheel is, therefore, provided with a small numberof teeth, preferably twenty: five, and the cam .91 completesone rotation when twenty-five bags have been deposited on thecom veyor. As shown in Fig. vl, the cam has almost completed, one rotation and. the roller 100 is on the highest point of the .cam and .will .be released upon the next advance .of ttheratchet wheel and will then moveon to the lowpoint of the .cam, as shown in Fig. .3. As-thecam rotates the .valve arm is slowly moved against the action of the spring 93,.thereby placing that spring under relatively high tension and when the roller-movesnif the high pointof lthercam, the spring wmouickly reverse the valve and connect the .outer end .of cylinder-6 and .the inner .end of cylinderfis with the fluidsupply and-quicklyoperate-the actuating device to advancentheconveyor.

To avoid-an inaccurate count .theevent a bag or bags should be missing :from the spacesronrthe sewing machine conveyor, there sis-provided a. dc.- vice .for interrupting the operation of the cam 91. The device .here shown, .is similar .to that shown in the above mentioned patent and com,- prises a shield .105 mounted for movement about the toothed edgeof aratchet wheel ,Hil into and out of a position between the ratchet wheel and the .pawl 184 and is connected through ,linkage N36 with atrip arm 10,1 ,p'ivotally mountedbelow the table of the conveyor 39 and extending through ant-opening 108 inthat table. .Theupper end of thelever 10 1 iszbentsforwardly with relation to the conveyortoa positionin-whichaba passing over-theopening inathe table engagesthe lever and presses .thegsameidownwardly toward the table, thereby causingthelinkage i fi-ito move the shield M5 to an inoperative position inrelation to the pawl andretainingthe same inth'a-t position as long as a rbag is inengagement with the lever It]. When ;noibag is in engagement with the lever IN, the shield isfmoved :by a spring 169 to a position between the pawiand the. ratchet wheel, thus preventing the .operation of the ratchet wheel'byi-the pawluntilanother has on gages the l'e'ver'fll-l While we .have shown :and, described rcne embodiment of our invention, wewish; it. to be. und rstood that we do not desire to be limitedt-o the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a, personskilled inthe. art.

Having 7 fully shown and described our in-V .1 tion,-what we claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. n a apparatus b nc eand coun n articles, a supporting structure, anv endless conveyor supported on said structure and shaving the upper stretch thereof arranged to receive and support articles, means for depositing articles on said conveyor 'in superposed relation one to the other, means for,intermittentlyactuating said conveyor including a gear rotatabiy inount'ed on said supporting structure, a reciprocatorv toothed member meshing with said gear'to rotate the same in either "of two.di'rections, means including a one-way clutch for 'drivingly connecting said, gear with, said conveyor when said gear is rotated in one 'direction andior "disconnesting said gear from said conveyor when said gear isrotated iinthe other direction, power operated means for reciprocating said toothed member, means for counting [the articles deposited :on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting means "for initiating the operationof said toothedmemberbysaid power operated means when a predetermined number of; articles have been deposited on said conveyor.

toothed member meshing with said gear to roe,

tate .the same in either .of two di ect Ollfi, means including a one-way clutch for drivingly connecting said gear with said conveyor when ,said gear is rotated in one ,direction and for disconnectingsaid gear from said conveyor when said gear isrotated in theother direction, poweroper a'ted means for reciprocating said toothed men ber, means for counting ,the articles deposited on saidconveyor, means controlled by saidcounting means for initiating the operation of said toothed member by said power operated means when ,a predetermined number of articles have been, deposited on said conveyon and means controlled by the relative movements of said gear and said toothed member for preventing the overrunning of said conveyor.

-3. In an-apparatus for bunching andcounting articles, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor supported on said structure and having the upper stretch thereof arranged toreceive and supportarticles, means f-ordepositing articles on said conveyorin superposed relation one .to the other, means for actuating said conveyor comprising a shaftdrivingly connected therewith, ,a gear rotatable on said shaft in either of -.tWO directions, acne-way clutch for connectin said gear with said shaft when said gear is rotated in onedirection and for disconnecting said gear from said shaft when said gear is rotated in the other direction, a toothed segment pivotally mounted on said structure, meshing with said gear and operable to :move said gear ineither direction about its axis, a power operated member operatively connected with said segment, means for counting the articles deposited on said conveyor,- an d means controlled by aid counting means .forinitiating the operation. of saidrpower op ra d emb 51. In an apparatus for bunching and counting articles, a supporting structure, ,an endless. con veyor supported onsaid structure and having the upper stretch thereofarranged to receivegand support articles, means for depositing articles on said conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, means for actuating said conveyor comprising a shaft drivingly connectedtherew-ith, a gear rotatable on said shaft in either of two directions, a oneeway clutchfor connecting said gear with said shaft when said ,gear is rotated in one direction and for disconnecting said gear from said shaft when said gear is rotated in. the other direction, a toothed segment pivota-lly mounted onsaid-structureand meshing with said gear and operable to move said gear'in either direction about its axis, a power operated member operatively connected with said segment, means .for counting they-articles deposited on said conveyor, means controlled by said ,cQunti-ng means for initiating the operation of said power operated member, ;a stop. connected wi th ,said :shaft ,for rotation therewith, an arm .pivota'1ly mounted on said ;str-ucture and having, a part movable; into and ,out, of; the path of said step,

spring means tending to move said part of said arm into the path of said stop, and means con trolled by said power operated member for retaining said arm normally in a retracted position and for releasing the same for movement by said spring means into the path of said stop during the operative movement of said segment.

5. In an apparatus for bunching and conveying articles, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor supported on said structure and having the upper stretch thereof arranged to receive and support articles, means for depositing articles on said conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, means for actuating said conveyor comprising a shaft drivingly connected therewith, a gear rotatable on said shaft, a one-way clutch for connecting said gear with said shaft, a toothed segment pivotally mounted on said structure and meshing with said gear, a power operated member operatively connected with said segment, means for counting said articles deposited on said conveyor, means controlled by said counting means for initiating the operation of said power operated member, a stop connected with said shaft for rotation therewith, an arm pivotally mounted upon said structure and having a part movable into and out of the path of said stop, spring means tending to move said part of said arm into the path of said stop, a second arm rigidly connected with the first mentioned arm, and a part connected with said power operated member and engaging said second arm to retain the first mentioned arm normally in a retracted position and to release the same for movement into the path of said stop as the latter approaches the end of one rotation, and to retract said second arm prior to the next operation of said power operated member.

6. In an apparatus for bunching and conveying articles, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor supported on said structure and having the upper stretch thereof arranged to receive and support articles, means for depositing articles on said upper stretch of said conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, means for actuating said conveyor including an actuating device mounted for movement in one direction to impart movement to said conveyor and for idle movement in the other direction, an operating member connected with said actuating device to impart both movements thereto, means for counting the articles deposited on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting means for energizing said motor and controlling the direction of the movement of said operating member.

7. In an apparatus for bunching and conveying articles, a supportingstructure, an endless conveyor supported on said structure and having the upper stretch thereof arranged to receive and support articles, means for depositing said articles on said conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, means including an actuating device for imparting movement to said conveyor, an operating member connected with said actuating device, a fluid operated device for imparting movement to said operating member, means including a valve for connecting said fluid operating device with a source of fluid under pressure, means for counting the articles deposited on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting means for actuating said valve.

8. In an apparatus for bunching and conveying articles, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor supported on said structure and having the upper stretch thereof arranged to receive and support articles, means for depositing articles on said conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, an actuating device, means includ ing a one-way clutch for connecting said actuating device with said conveyor, a reciprocatory member for operating said actuating device, fluid operated devices connected with the respective ends of said reciprocatory member, means including a valve to supply fluid under pressure to both fluid operated devices to move said reciprocatory member first in one direction and then in the other direction, means for counting the articles deposited on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting means for actuating said valve.

9. In an apparatus for bunching and conveying articles, a supporting structure, an endless conveyor supported on said structure and having the upper stretch thereof arranged to receive and support articles, means for depositing articles on said conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, means including an actuating device for imparting intermittent movement to said conveyor, a reciprocatory operating member connected with said actuating device, a stop member connected with said conveyor for one complete rotation upon each movement of said conveyor, a second stop member pivotally supported on said structure and biased toward the path of the first mentioned stop member, an arm connected with said second stop member adjacent the pivotal axis thereof and extending in the direction of movement of said operating member and a part carried by said operating member and engaging said arm to normally retain said second stop member in a retracted position and movable with said operable member to a position adjacent the pivotal axis of said second stop member to release the latter for movement into the path of the first mentioned stop member.

10. In combination with an article delivery mechanism, a normally stationary endless chain type conveyor, a feeding device to receive arti- 7 to successively move said abutment means into article receiving position, means including a valve to connect said fluid operated device with a source of fluid under pressure, a cam, means for actuating said cam in timed relation to the operation of said delivery mechanism, and means controlled by said cam for actuating said valve when a predetermined number of articles have been accumulated on said conveyor, whereby to ,move the accumulated articles away from said feeding device and position the next successive abutment in article receiving position.

11. In combination with an article delivery mechanism, a normally stationary endless chain type conveyor, a feeding device to receive arti cles from said delivery mechanism and deposit the same on said conveyor, a plurality of abutment means on said conveyor for accumulating articles in superposed relation one to the other, means including a fluid operated device for imparting intermittent movement to said conveyor to successively move said abutment means into article receiving position, means including a valve to connect said fluid operated device with a source of fluid under pressure, spring means tending to move said valve in one direction, a cam, means for actuating said cam in timed relation to the operation of said delivery mechanism, means controlled by said cam for moving said valve in the other direction against the action of said spring means and to quickly release said valve for movement by said spring means when a predetermined number of articles have been accumulated on said conveyor, whereby to move the accumulated articles away from said feeding device and position the next successive abutment in article receiving position.

12. In a bunching and counting apparatus, a normally stationary endless conveyor adapted to be mounted with the upper stretch thereof in article receiving relation to an article delivery mechanism, superposed rollers supported adjacent the rear end of'said conveyor above the level thereof to receive articles from said delivery mechanism, means for rotating said rollers at high speed to project said articles beyond the same in substantially horizontal positions and deposit said articles one upon another on said stationary conveyor, means for moving said upper stretch of said conveyor forwardly from said rollers and discharging said articles therefrom, means for counting articles deposited on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting means for imparting said forward movement to said stretch of said conveyor when a predetermined number of articles have been deposited thereon.

13. In a bunching and counting apparatus, a normally stationary endless conveyor adapted to be mounted with the upper stretch thereof in article receiving relation to an article delivery mechanism, superposed rollers supported adjacent the rear end of said conveyor above the level thereof to receive articles from said delivery mechanism, means for rotating said rollers at high speed to project said articles beyond the same in substantially horizontal positions and deposit said articles one upon another on said upper stretch of said stationary conveyor, means for intermittently operating said conveyor including an actuating device movable in one direction from a normal position to move said upper stretch of said conveyor forwardly from said rollers and discharge said articles therefrom and then movable in the other direction to said normal position, a reversible motor connected with said actuating device for imparting said movements thereto, means for counting the articles deposited on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting means for energizing said motor and imparting said movements to said ctuating device when a predetermined number of articles have been deposited on said conveyor.

14. In a bunching and counting apparatus, a normally stationary endless conveyor, parallel rollers supported above the rear portion of said conveyor and spaced vertically one from the other to enable the forward end of a moving article to enter between them, means for rotating said rollers at high speed and. in opposite directions about their respective axes, periodically acting moving means for moving one of said 12 rollers toward the other roller in timed relation to the movement of an article between said rollers, whereby to grip the article between said rollers and project the same beyond said rollers in a substantially horizontal position and thus deposit successive articles flat one upon the other on said stationary conveyor, a drive shaft connected with said conveyor, a reciprocatory actuating member, means for connecting said shaft with said actuating member for movement thereby in one direction only, mechanism for counting said articles as they move toward said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting mechanism to operate said actuating member.

15. In a bunching and counting apparatus, a normally stationary endless conveyor movable about spaced parallel axes, means for depositing a plurality of articles on said stationary conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, a drive shaft between and spaced from said axes of said conveyor, means directly connecting said shaft with said conveyor, a reciprocatory actuating member, means connecting said drive shaft with said actuating member for movement thereby in conveyor operating direction, power means for operating said actuating member, means for counting said articles as they are deposited on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting means for initiating the operation of said power means when a predetermined number of articles have been deposited on said conveyor and thereby actuating said conveyor to discharge said articles therefrom.

16. In a bunching and counting apparatus, a normally stationary endless conveyor, means for depositing a plurality of articles on said stationary conveyor in superposed relation one to the other, a drive shaft, means directly connecting said shaft with said conveyor, a reciprocatory actuating member, means connecting said drive shaft with said actuating member for movement thereby in one direction only, a reversible fluid operated motor operatively connected with said actuated member to move the latter first in an operative direction and then in an inoperative direction, a valve to control the operation of said motor, mechanism for counting said articles as they are deposited on said conveyor, and means controlled by said counting mechanism for actuating said valve.

HARRY PETERS.

WILLIAM J. TILTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 381,105 Black Apr. 17, 1888 1,179,513 Fischer et a1. Apr. 18, 1916 1,266,738 Wood May 21, 1918 1,318,910 Pfohl Oct. 14, 1919 1,569,032 Reichel Jan. 12, 1926 1,770,973 Coy July 22, 1930 2,228,887 Peterson Jan. 14, 1941 2,414,059 Powers Jan. 7, 1947 2,467,423 Bruker Apr. 19, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 423,797 Great Britain Feb. 4, 1935 

